Sunday, December 15, 2024
spot_img

Polio worker shot dead in NW Pakistan

Date:

Share post:

spot_img
spot_img

Peshawar: A polio vaccinator was gunned down when militants on Saturday attacked a hospital in northwest Pakistan just ahead of a 90-day campaign against the crippling disease in the restive region.
Militants entered Matni Hospital in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, and fired indiscriminately. Polio vaccinator Zahid Gul was killed instantly and two others sustained severe injuries. No group claimed responsibility for the incident bu the Taliban has been blamed for a spate of attacks on polio vaccination workers, accusing them of being Western spies and part of a plot to “sterilise” Muslims.
Dozens have died in these attacks. In June last year, the Taliban imposed a ban on polio vaccinations in parts of the tribal belt and said the restriction would last till US drone attacks cease. At least 260,000 children in North and South Waziristan have not been vaccinated since July 2012.
On December 13, gunmen attacked two separate polio teams in northwestern Pakistan, killing one polio worker and two police guards. On November 23, militants also kidnapped teachers for supporting an anti-polio drive but they were later released. Pakistan is one of only three countries where polio is endemic.
The number of cases in the country reached 77 this year, up by nineteen from the whole of last year. The WHO has described Peshawar as “the international reservoir of polio”. (PTI)

spot_img
spot_img

Related articles

Will end naxalism in Chhattisgarh by March 2026: Amit Shah

Raipur, Dec 15: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday reiterated the government’s resolve to rid Chhattisgarh of...

Hindu leaders demand apology from Rahul Gandhi on Dronacharya-Eklavya remark

New Delhi, Dec 15 : As Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi compared the actions...

Parliamentarians unite over cricket match, raise awareness about eradicating TB by 2025

New Delhi, Dec 15 : In a unique blend of sports and social awareness, political leaders from both...

Armstrong murder case: 23 accused shifted to Puzhal central prison for security reasons

Chennai, Dec 15: The Tamil Nadu Prison Department shifted 23 people, accused of the murder of BSP state...